Fig. 5From: A randomized controlled trial to determine whether beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate and/or eicosapentaenoic acid improves diaphragm and quadriceps strength in critically Ill mechanically ventilated patientsThe change in diaphragm strength (PdiTw) between initial measurements and measurements made after drug treatment are presented for the four experimental groups in the top panel. Data is displayed as the log difference (y-axis) of pre- and post-treatment diaphragm twitch measurements for individual subjects included in the four experimental groups. The mean log difference for diaphragm twitch pressure (PdiTw) pre- and post-treatment was 0.18 (95% CI − 0.14 to 0.49), 0.09 (95% CI − 0.60 to 0.78), 0.31 (95% CI − 0.07 to 0.68), and 0.12 (95% CI − 0.27 to 0.50), respectively, for Control, EPA, HMB, and HMB + EPA groups (p = 0.894). As a result, there was no significant difference in change of PdiTw over time between the four experimental groups. Change in diaphragm thickness between initial and post-treatment measurements is presented for the four experimental groups in the bottom panel. The mean log difference for diaphragm thickness pre- and post-treatment was − 0.01 (95% CI − 0.10 to 0.09), 0.04 (95% CI − 0.03 to 0.10), 0.04 (95% CI − 0.04 to 0.13), and 0.01 (95% CI − 0.11 to 0.13), respectively, for Control, EPA, HMB, and HMB + EPA groups (p = 0.839). As a result, there was no significant difference in changes in diaphragm thickness over time between the four experimental groupsBack to article page